Halina Purzyc

Navicular syndrome in sport horses as a result of the disorder of biological bone tissue turnover rhythm: a review

This review summarizes the macroanatomical changes affecting the navicular bone in terms of mechanisms of bone turnover. Many researchers associate the disorders described in this review with limb overloads occurring periodically during training. As a result of intensified and repetitive biomechanical strains, accumulation of microcracks occurs in the bone tissue. It can disrupt the natural rhythm of tissue regeneration. The rhythm comprises a short resorption stage as well as bone formation stage, which lasts several months in horses. The article also dwells on different forms of macroscopic lesions of the navicular bone, which may occur in the uncoupled Basic Multicellular Unit. They lead to the navicular syndrome, which is irreversible and most often eliminates the horse from sport competitions.

Differences in exterior conformation between primitive, Half-bred, and Thoroughbred horses: Anatomic-breeding approach

The study included 249 horses belonging to 3 horse breeds. Konik horses, comprising the first group, is an example of a breed similar to the extinct Tarpan. In our study, these horses were taken to be a primitive anatomical model of the horse body. The other groups comprised the Polish Half-bred horse and Thoroughbred horse. The biometric characteristics of the horses were compared based on 24 indices. The aim of the paper was to find a reduced set of indices that can be used to determine group membership of the horses. To do this, we used statistical methods to find the most important indices that best discriminate breeds from each other. Chi-squared statistics, linear discriminant analysis, logistic regression, and 1-way ANOVA showed that the discrimination among groups of horses is connected with these 5 indices: scapula, smaller trunk (distance between tubercle of humerus and coxal tuber), greater trunk (distance between tubercle of humerus and ischial tuberosity), metacarpus circumference, and hind autopodium-smaller trunk. Thoroughbred and Half-bred horses are clearly different in exterior conformation from Konik horses. The differences between Thoroughbred and Half-bred horses are more subtle. The conformation of Thoroughbreds is jointly determined by relatively small differences in a range of features.

Morphometric alterations, steatosis, fibrosis and active caspase-3 detection in carbamate bendiocarb treated rabbit liver.

Increasing use of pesticides all over the world makes it necessary to reveal the toxic risk in populations of nontargeted organisms. Bendiocarb is one of the 12 insecticides recommended by the World Health Organization for use in malaria control in Africa, and is used against a variety of insects. The liver has an important role in its process of detoxication and excretion. In our experiment 56 adult rabbits of breed HY+, 28 males and 28 females were used. Animals were divided into groups (control, days 10, 20, 30 of bendiocarb administration). The presence of many binucleated hepatocytes, the highest number of liver cells and their decreased size at 10 day after bendiocarb administration was observed as an evidence of the hepatic regeneration. After the long‐term treatment pronounced changes were presented such as vacuolization and dilatation of hepatocytes, dilatation of sinusoids between hepatocytes, and focal infiltration of inflammatory cells. Numerous cells with caspase‐3 activity were present throughout the organ, most commonly around the portal tract and close to the central vein. Short and long‐term bendiocarb treatment showed the central vein thickened rim with increased deposition of collagen, spreading of collagen fibers into the perisinusoidal, and pericellular space surrounding the central veins, and septal fibrosis extended from the portal tract. Subsequently, presence of the lipid vacuoles both in the liver parenchyma and inner of the hepatocytes were observed. These results suggest that bendiocarb treatment leads to increased cell death, liver perisinusoidal fibrosis, and steatosis, especially during the long‐term administration.

Prevalence of dorsal notch and variations in the foramen magnum shape in dogs of different breeds and morphotypes

Abstract The study evaluated shape of the foramen magnum (FM) in dog with regard to its constitutional type (small, medium and large breeds) and morphotype (brachycephalic, mesaticephalic and dolichocephalic dogs). We used multi-slice CT scanner to examine occipital area of 138 purebreds dogs. Two studied groups could be distinguished – living animals undergoing standard diagnostic CT procedure (n = 47) and macerated skulls of euthanized dogs (n = 91). Morphometric analysis was focused on presence of dorsal notch within foramen magnum. This anatomical feature was present in 33.3% of examined dogs. It was more often observed in small size dogs (70%) and those of brachycephalic morphotype (94.1%). For the first time dorsal notch was noted in breeds such as French Bulldog, Fox Terrier, Keeshond, Standard Schnauzer, English Bulldog, Cocker Spaniel, Boxer and Rottweiler. We distinguished four different shape of FM: oval, pentagonal, rhomboid and circular. Most common FM shape was oval (41 dogs; 45%) whereas circular type was least observed (5 dogs; 5.5%). The pentagonal shape was noticed in 27 specimens (29.7%) and the rhomboid shape in 18 dogs (19.8%). Authors conclude that dorsal notch is not pathology and should be considered a morphological variation within the normal anatomy. Results presented in this study should be taken into account during interpretation of the CT images of the craniocervical junction.

Evaluation of distal phalanx formation and association with front hoof conformation in coldblooded horses

Abstract There is not much data on the pathology of the hoof and of the distal phalanx in coldblooded horses (CH). In the present study we analysed the prevalence of certain abnormalities in hoof geometry and changes in the architecture and location of the distal phalanx related to those abnormalities in a randomly selected population of coldblooded horses. The study material comprised autopodium parts of forelimbs in CH from private animal farms (n = 35). The analysis included the description and measurements of the hoof capsule, radiological assessment of the location of the distal phalanx against the dorsal wall of the hoof capsule and structure assessment of isolated distal phalanges. Numerous pathologies were observed in hoof capsules and distal phalanges in both forelimbs; there was no tendency for increased number of hoof pathologies in only one side of the body; exceedingly steep hoof was thrice more frequent than long-toe hoof; in 56% of the horses, ossification of the ungular cartilages (UC) was observed. The ossification was more frequent in the lateral cartilages and most distinct in the horses whose body weight exceeded 550 kg; it prevailed in the horses with steep hooves.

Changes in testis parameters and the weight of antlers and carcass in males of the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) between 2009 and 2011

The research involved the analysis of changes in selected metrical features in the male roe deer (n = 57) during three consecutive years 2009–2011. Next, correlations between testis parameters and carcass and antler weight were presented. The research was conducted during the rut. Statistical analyses showed that in particular years the weight of carcass, antlers and testes changed. Also, differences in the thickness and circumference of testes were observed. Males presented the lowest weight in 2009 when a severe winter occurred. It was also a year when the males had the smallest and lightest testes. The highest weight of the studied males was recorded in 2011. However, the increase in carcass weight did not translate into proportional increase in testis weight. The antler weight increase was not closely related to the increase in carcass weight either. In each of the analysed years, the bucks presented the same length of testes and epididymis.

The Osteometry of Equine Third Phalanx by the Use of Three-Dimensional Scanning: New Measurement Possibilities

This study consisted in analyzing the asymmetry between bilateral third phalanges (coffin bones) in cold-blood horses based on the angle range of the plantar margin of the bone. The study employed a scanner projecting a hybrid set of images, consisting of sinusoidal stripes preceded by a Gray code sequence. As it turned out, three-dimensional scanning can be used to effectively determine the angle range for a selected portion of the studied bone. This provides broad possibilities for osteometric studies, as it enables the determination of angle distribution in a given fragment. The results obtained indicate a weak correlation between age and bilateral third-phalanx asymmetry in terms of the angle range of the plantar margins and no correlation between body weight and the asymmetry described.

Lymphatic drainage of cerebrospinal fluid in mammals – are arachnoid granulations the main route of cerebrospinal fluid outflow?

The outflow of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in animals was over the years the subject of detailed analysis. For a long time it was stated that arachnoid granulations of the venous sinuses play a key role in CSF circulation. However, recent studies on this subject have shown that a considerable part of the CSF is drained to the lymphatic vessels. Moreover, disorders in the CSF passage may result in severe central nervous system diseases such as e.g. hydrocephalus. In this paper, we summarize the current knowledge concerning the lymphatic drainage of the CSF in mammals. We present in detail comparative anatomy of different species taking into account cranial and spinal compartment. In addition, we clarified role of the lymphatic vessels in the CSF outflow and the relationship between impairment in this transport and central nervous system diseases. In the author’s opinion knowledge on CSF circulation is still poorly examined and therefore required comment.

Regional differences of densitometric and geometric parameters of the third metacarpal bone in coldblood horses – pQCT study

Abstract Introduction: The aim of the study was to analyse selected densitometric and geometric parameters in the third metacarpal bone along the long axis in horses. The densitometric parameters included the cortical and trabecular bone mineral density, while the geometric parameters included the cortical, trabecular, and total areas, strength strain index X, strength strain index Y, and the polar strength strain index. Material and Methods: The parameters were analysed using eight sections from 10% to 80% of the length of the bone. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography was used in the study. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Friedman analysis of variance and post-hoc tests. Results: The proximal metaphyseal region showed the highest predicted resistance to bone fractures in the transverse (back-front) plane, the distal metaphyseal region had the highest predicted resistance to transverse and torsional fractures in the transverse (side-side) plane. The cross-sectional area and the shape of the cross-section of the cortical bone of the MCIII had the highest coefficient of variation. The density of the cortical bone was least variable. Conclusions: The cortical area and cortical bone mineral density assumed the highest values in the diaphyseal region, while the highest total area, trabecular area and trabecular bone mineral density values were obtained in the metaphyseal proximal and distal region.

Alternative venous drainage of heart ventricles in rabbits

The objective of this study was to describe the uncommon connections between cardiac veins, alternative pathways within cardiac venous circulation and complex variability of the venous system in the heart ventricles. The study was carried out on 30 adult New Zealand White rabbits. The arrangement of the cardiac veins was studied by using the corrosion casts prepared with the Spofacryl® and by perfusion of coloured latex. The presence and organization of principal veins of the heart ventricles was relatively constant with a great variability in the mode of opening and forming a common trunk. The highest variations were observed in the region of the paraconal interventricular vein, the left and right marginal vein and the left distal ventricular vein. The left proximal ventricular vein was an inconstant tributary of the left circumflex vein and was seen in 17% of cases. The left distal ventricular vein was visible as one (13% of cases) or two veins (87% of cases). Angular vein was observed in 20% of cases. Numerous anastomosis were found among cardiac veins.